Trucks carrying fruits, vegetables on National Highway to be given priority: Govt

Srinagar, July 15: While issuing an advisory for smooth movement of trucks on National Highway, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday said that trucks carrying fruits and vegetables on National Highway will be given priority.

"Agriculture and Horticulture sectors are critically important for the economy of J&K and the UT administration is fully committed to facilitate the growers and extend every possible assistance in marketing the produce. NH-44, being the lifeline of J&K, has an important role to play in this regard. Use of NH-44, by different class of users, is largely governed by the advisory issued by Traffic Police, which tries to accommodate every stakeholder. However, it has been reported that in view of the ongoing SANJY-2024, onset of fresh fruit season, convoy movement and the condition of NH-44, sufficient timeslot is not getting allotted to this very important sector and as a result, downside movement of trucks carrying perishable goods is being hampered due to which the fruit growers/traders are facing inconvenience," reads the advisory issued by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, a copy of which lies with Greater Kashmir..

"In order to alleviate the concerns of the fruit growers, the UT administration has decided to take the steps that includes that the vehicles carrying fruits and vegetables will be given adequate priority, Traffic Police should identify a stretch of about 02 Kms on NH- 44, between Levdoora to Navyug Tunnel, which should be dedicated for parking of fruit/vegetable laden vehicles, so that their movement could be facilitated on priority. Other HMVs, waiting to be released for their onward movement towards Jammu, should be allowed to get parked only after Levdoora and  Fruit/vegetable growers are requested to load and timely park their vehicles (every morning before 09:00 a.m.) at the designated place, so that traffic police could easily identify the vehicles and release them once SANJY related daily movement is over," the advisory reads.

"Department of Agriculture Production is requested to frame and issue instructions to all the fruit/vegetable growers to prominently display a uniquely identifiable marker (hoarding/banner mentioning the item and the source of origin), so that fruit/vegetable laden vehicles are distinguished and their movement is accordingly facilitated." tt reads.

"Trucks carrying perishable goods will also be facilitated through Jawahar Tunnel or Mughal Road, if they desire so. The following type of vehicles while returning to Jammu will only use Mughal Road between 06:00 am to 06:00 pm. All Tankers of Petrol, Diesel, LPG Bulk Gas,  All trucks carrying empty LPG Cylinders, All empty vehicles of FCI and any other loaded / empty vehicle upto 10-tyre," it reads.

"The advisory will remain in force till the culmination of SANJY-2024," reads the advisory.